Instantiations is now 100% Smalltalk Focused

August, 2010

Instantiations is pleased to announce that it has been acquired by Google– but this does not include our Smalltalk products, people or business. The “new” Instantiations (yes, we kept the name) remains a strong and independent company! Our Java products and people are now part of Google, but VA Smalltalk™ (VAST), our very skilled Smalltalk team and our Smalltalk commitment continue uninterrupted and are now 100% focused on Smalltalk. So your investment in VA Smalltalk remains secure, and we are more focused than ever on your continued success.

Many of you will remember that in 2005, IBM tapped Instantiations to carry its Smalltalk products and customers forward. The resulting product became Instantiations’ popular and powerful VA Smalltalk (which is fully VisualAge Smalltalk compatible). Our relationship with IBM remains strong and unaffected as we move forward.

In the short run, expect little change in our Smalltalk activities. Our customer-focused support and product development will proceed without interruption, and we are looking forward to the upcoming release of VA Smalltalk 8.0.3.

Mike Taylor will continue as President and CEO of the new Smalltalk-focused Instantiations. Founder Eric Clayberg will join Google, but will also continue as a Director/Board Member, technical advisor and major shareholder of Instantiations. John O’Keefe will assume an even stronger role guiding the technical development and advancement of VAST. Chuck Shawan will continue working with customers as our VP of Sales. Everyone on the technical team in Raleigh will stay in their current roles.

Instantiations’ long-standing support for the Smalltalk community will continue through hosting and sponsoring events like the VA Smalltalk Forum Europe held in conjunction with our partners in June, and Camp Smalltalk UK this past July. We are also sponsoring and speaking at ESUG 2010 in September in Barcelona.

Longer term, we remain committed to the continued technical evolution of the VAST product line and to expanding its market and business success. Our goal continues to be providing the innovation, product support, and services you need to protect and profit from your important Smalltalk investments.

As always, we welcome your feedback on product enhancements and ways in which we can contribute to the Smalltalk community. Please contact us with your comments, feedback and questions with regard to this change.

We join you in looking forward to an exciting future as the new, Smalltalk-focused Instantiations.